Effect of renal transcatheter arterial embolization on quality of life in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease.

Background: Currently, there are few strategies for improving the quality of life (QOL) in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) and massive kidneys. Renal transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) reduces kidney volume, but its impact on QOL in ADPKD patients on hemodialysis is unknown. This study investigated the influence of renal TAE on QOL in ADPKD patients with massive kidneys receiving hemodialysis.

Methods: This prospective observational study enrolled 188 ADPKD patients on hemodialysis (92 men and 96 women; mean age 56.7 ± 9.1 years) who underwent renal TAE at Toranomon Hospital between August 2010 and July 2014. The 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) and our original 15-item questionnaire were used to evaluate QOL.

Results: Using a linear mixed model, the least squares mean values of the SF-36 physical component summary (PCS), mental component summary (MCS) and role/social component summary (RCS) before renal TAE were calculated as 38.21 [95% confidence interval (CI) 36.50-39.91], 48.45 (47.05-49.86) and 43.04 (40.70-45.37), respectively. These values improved to 42.0 (40.22-43.77; P < 0.001 versus before TAE), 51.25 (49.78-52.71; P = 0.001) and 49.67 (47.22-52.12; P < 0.001), respectively, 1 year after renal TAE. Scores for abdominal fullness, poor appetite and heartburn showed marked improvement after renal TAE, while scores for fever, bodily pain and sleep disorder also improved slightly, but significantly. Scores for constipation and use of analgesics/sleeping medications/laxatives did not improve significantly. All of the SF-36 scores and the scores for specific symptoms (except bodily pain, snoring and constipation) were significantly correlated with the sequential decrease of the height-adjusted total kidney volume.

Conclusions: In ADPKD patients on hemodialysis, renal TAE was effective in improving abdominal fullness, appetite, heartburn and SF-36 scores (MCS and RCS scores), but not for sleep disturbance, constipation and physical strength (PCS score).